No Belly Button After Hernia Repair? (photo)

Question

I am 26 years old, have two children, the youngest is two years old, I had a hernia repair when I had a breast augmentation...The first attempt resulted in a scar above my navel, because the surgeon attempted to remove my belly button piercing scar. About a month and 1/2 ago another surgeon attempted to revise the scar from the first surgeon and now I am pretty concerned as to how it is healing. It looks as though I essentially have no belly button...what can I do??

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

	 Your concern about the appearance of the umbilicus is understandable;  it seems that it is very shallow. At this point given your recent operations, I would not suggest any further surgery. Allow the tissues to “relax”;  revisionary surgery may be possible to create more of an “inny” appearance down the line.  I would suggest that you seek consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons  approximately 1 year down the line.

	 Best wishes.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Although there are many ways to manipulate a belly button, including suturing it to underlying tissue to deepen it, you will probably need several maneuvers to make the belly button look more natural.  Find the plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each year.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

These can be very difficult cases. When you have a large umbilical hernia it can obliterate your belly button appearance and even compromise the blood supply. When you have your hernia fixed it can compromise the blood supply to the belly button as well. It looks like you have enough skin. I would go see a plastic surgeon and see if they can open the incision and tack the belly button back down to your abdominal wall. It looks like that is all you need from what I can see in your photos.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

An umbilicoplasty may be the procedure for you.  You should give it 6 months or so to heal before undergoing the procedure.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

The navel is present, in its proper location. The navel is just a scar to begin with, and now it is still a scar, but looks different. The main issue I see is the absence of depth. Let the area heal for at least three months. Once the scar is soft and mature, an umbilicoplasty can be done to restore a more normal appearance. 

	All the best.

No Belly Button After Hernia Repair? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Umbilicoplasty

Answer: Umbilicoplasty

Answer: No Belly Button After Hernia Repair?

Answer: No Belly Button After Hernia Repair?

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No Belly Button After Hernia Repair? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Umbilicoplasty

Answer: Umbilicoplasty

Answer: No Belly Button After Hernia Repair?

Answer: No Belly Button After Hernia Repair?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Umbilical Hernia Repair

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.